Historical Home On the Move in Montcalm County

Historical Home On the Move in Montcalm County

LAKEVIEW, Mich., — After weeks of planning, an old home in the small town of Lakeview is moving to a new address. The so-called Kazmer House has spent decades sitting at 432 S. Lincoln Avenue, next to Kelsey Memorial Hospital. Thursday, crews had hoisted the home onto wheels and began making the move to its new location on East 4th Street.

The home, which has been purchased by Lane Leppink and Laura Huckaby Gavril, will reportedly begin operating as a bed and breakfast once the move is completed.

Despite the cold, several people came to watch the home’s progress, some even snapped pictures to document the historic move.

“It’s very beautiful and grand,” said Karen Baker, a Lakeview resident. “It’s a piece of history…I’m so glad they didn’t tear it down like they do sometimes.”

Maris Kazmers also came to the site to see the home he grew up in.

“My family came over from post-war Europe in 1950 and shortly after that, we moved into that house,” he told FOX 17 News. “I think this house is one of the oldest houses in the community. It survived a fire when the whole downtown burned in 1894. People watched the fire from the roof of that home. The house has survived ever since and it should live on.”

Hoffer Structural Lifting hoped to have the move completed by Thursday night. Crews will also help build a new foundation for the home when it’s moved.